We're convinced that the education, training and life experience of our instructors make us the best swim instructors. We're on a mission to build the best swim instructor staff in New Jersey. Our staff wants to teach, is knowledgeable, and brings their unique perspective and personality into the pool. Instructors are encouraged to understand and uncover each students strengths, and develop a swim program that's conducive to a student's learning style and natural physical ability. No one is stuck in a group class repeating skills already attained, or be left at the side of the pool to watch others practice skills they're not ready to do. All of our teachers are trained in our unique and effective methods.
JENNIFER MAY |
Jennifer is the founder and CEO of LifeCycle Aquatics. In addition to teaching, Jennifer directs the marketing, programming and instructor training. Jennifer grew up swimming and competitive racing in Houston, Texas. After corporate burn-out from thirty years in the shoe business, Jennifer started teaching swimming at our local YMCA "just to keep busy." With her business background, she quickly realized that our community was underserved both in quantity and quality of swim lessons - and she started LifeCycle Swim School. The curriculum that Jen developed puts special emphasis on safety and building confidence in the water. Jen teaches at Midland Ave on Mon/Tues/Thurs. Jen is also available for home pool lessons.
Jennifer teaches all ages and all abilities - baby and guardian classes, toddlers, and all ages beginner through advanced racing. Jennifer also has extensive experience teaching those who experience anxiety in and around water. Jennifer also teaches students who learn, move or behave differently due to a variety of disabilities.
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ORLANDO E. |
Orlando is a Cuban born swimming and aquatic professional. Orlando started competitive swimming when he was eight years old, representing his province in National Cuban Championships all the way through high school. His competition specialties were butterfly and individual medley. Orlando attended Las Villas University, where he earned a B.S. in Physical Education. Orlando then merged his university degree and swimming experience, becoming the Assistant Swim Coach for 11-14 year-olds at the Santa Clara Swimming School in Cuba. In 2015, Orlando moved to the U.S. and taught swimming to babies, children and adults at YMCAs, and then at the JCC of Central NJ. He also was the Assistant Swim Team Coach for the JCC Barracudas. More recently Orlando managed teachers, taught and coached for the British Swim School. He also has experience teaching those who learn, behave or move differently. Orlando has been trained in our methods and is excited to start teaching in our community. Orlando loves taking his daughter out for walks in her stroller to enjoy the parks in his neighborhood. Orlando is available for lessons at your home pool in the afternoons starting at 4:00pm.
Orlando is a certified lifeguard and teaches all levels of swimming to all ages, including competitive swimmers. |
EMILY T. |
Emily is a junior at Rutgers University, studying English and teaching. She's a certified lifeguard and also has experience teaching others how to swim and be safe in the water. She started swimming at the Clifton Boys & Girls Club when she was nine years old, and that led her to swimming on her highschool swim team at Passaic County Technical Institute. By the time Emily was a junior in highschool, she started lifeguarding. She's now pursuing a career of education/teaching and believes that teaching what she knows best is a great way to start!
Emily teaches Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the summer at Wayside Place. Emily is a certified lifeguard, teaches all ages, and specializes in Levels 1-6. |
JESSIE C. |
Jessie brings her extensive teaching experience to our team. Jessie always loved swimming and took lessons throughout her childhood. By age 13 she had NAUI scuba diving certification and at age 15 she completed her Red Cross Lifeguarding certification, and lifeguarded throughout high school. After attending Carnegie Mellon University (undergrad) and UNC Chapel Hill for a master's degree in teaching, she worked in New York City as an educator while earning another master's degree at Teachers College, Columbia University. Jessie then taught at international schools in Europe. In 2014 Jessie relocated to California where she continued to work as a teacher, and became certified as an educational therapist. Jessie moved to Montclair in 2018, and works as a special education teacher during the school year. She's the mother of two vivacious daughters, ages 9 and 5. Jessie teaches July 18-August 15 at Bruce Road and Wayside Place.
Jessie is a certified lifeguard and teaches ages three and older, Levels 1 through 4. |